Table 1

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and methyl binding proteins. Dnmts establish and maintain methylation marks whilst methyl CpG binding proteins interpret these marks.

DNA methyltransferase
Activity
Function

DNMT1
Prefers hemi-methylated DNA
Maintenance of methylation, repression of transcription
DNMT2
Low activity in vitro
Non CpG methylation in Drosphilia
DNMT3a
De novo methylation
Imprinting and repression
DNMT3b
De novo and maintenance methylation
Repeat methylation, repression
DNMT3L
Not active, co-localizes with DNMT3a and 3b
Repeat methylation, repression
Methyl CpG binding protein
Specificity




MeCP2
Single methylated CpG
Repression
MBD1
Methylated and unmethylated DNA
Repression
MBD2
Methylated DNA
Repression
MBD3
Unmethylated DNA
Repression
MBD4
5-meCpG/TpG mismatches
DNA repair,

Abbreviations: MeCP – Methyl-CpG-binding protein, MBD – methyl-CpG binding domain.

Adcock et al. Respiratory Research 2006 7:21   doi:10.1186/1465-9921-7-21